Ultrathin fluid management article

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a fluid management article to be worn adjacent a user&#39;s perineum for collecting and/or absorbing low volumes of bodily fluids encountered both menstrually and intermenstrually. The article is particularly useful for everyday use, that is, for managing daily perspiration, vaginal discharge, post intercourse drainage, and other bodily fluids due to various conditions, such as infection.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an extremely thin, fluidmanagement article that is intended to be worn adjacent a user'sperineum. The article is useful in collecting and/or absorbing lowvolumes of bodily fluids, such as menses, urine, and perspiration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Externally worn absorbent articles for managing discharged bodilyfluids are well known in the art. A plethora of design features haveevolved over the years in an effort to improve the performance of thesearticles, such as lateral extensions for wrapping around a user'sundergarment, body-conforming means for diminishing any gaps between thearticle and the user's body, and the addition of highly absorbent andretentive materials, such as those materials commonly referred to assuperabsorbents. An additional evolutionary aspect of these articles, isa reduction in article thickness (caliper).

[0003] The designers of the reduced caliper articles referred to abovehave maintained the absorptive capacity of the relatively thickerarticles being replaced, thereby providing users with a thin andflexible article capable of managing significant volumes of fluid. Forexample Osborne, III, U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,264, discloses a thin andflexible sanitary napkin having a capacity great enough to handle mediumto high menstrual flows. The napkins in '264 have a preferred caliper ofless than about 2.6 millimeters and total fluid capacity of at leastabout 20.0 grams. Brandt et al., U.S. Pat. No. Re. 32,649, disclosesabsorbent articles comprising an intimate admixture of hydrophilic fibermaterial and hydrogel-forming particles, purportedly capable of holdinghigh amounts of discharged body fluids.

[0004] More and more consumers are purchasing and wearing fluidmanagement articles on an everyday basis, as compared to only duringtheir menstrual period. Consumers may experience daily perspiration,vaginal discharge, post intercourse drainage, and other fluid dischargesdue to various conditions, such as infection. To manage the dailydischarge and to feel “fresh”, consumers must purchase and wear standardnapkins or panty liners, dealing with the obtrusiveness and highabsorptive capacity associated with these products. While articles suchas those disclosed in '264 and '649 are suitable for managingsignificant volumes of fluid, they are overdesigned for managing lowvolumes, such as those encountered intermenstrually. Even the leastabsorbing articles commercially available in the US, such as CAREFREEpanty liners and KOTEX LIGHTDAYS pantiliners, offer excess absorptioncapacity for light menstrual flow and intermenstrual discharge.

[0005] One approach to address managing low volumes of bodily fluids isdisclosed in Boisse et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,963. The articledisclosed in '963 is a panty liner, consisting essential of a unitarysheet of nonwoven fabric constituting a primary liquid-retainingcomponent and plurality of recesses on its top surface, and aliquid-impervious barrier layer. Boisse et al. teaches constructing thenonwoven fabric from a mixture of fiber types, with rayon fibers being aconstant in the multitude of combinations. A disadvantage realized withthis construction is that the rayon fibers are absorbent, and thereforemay retain fluid at or near its skin-contacting surface. If the outersurface feels clammy to a user, then discomfort occurs, with an extremecase impelling the user to replace the article before its useful lifehas terminated.

[0006] What is still needed is a thin and flexible fluid managementarticle that provides extreme comfort and adequate capacity forcollecting and/or absorbing limited volumes of bodily fluid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention relates to a fluid management article to beworn adjacent a user's perineum for collecting and/or absorbing lowvolumes of bodily fluids encountered both menstrually andintermenstrually. The article is particularly useful for everyday use,that is, for managing daily perspiration, vaginal discharge, postintercourse drainage, and other bodily fluids due to various conditions,such as infection.

[0008] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, afluid management article designed and configured to be worn adjacent auser's perineum, comprising an absorbent-free, liquid permeablestructure having a first surface and a second surface opposite thereof;and a barrier layer covering at least a portion of the second surface,is provided. These articles being substantially free of absorbentmaterial will collect fluid within the interstitial spaces (pores), toprevent fluid from transferring to unwanted surfaces.

[0009] In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention,a fluid management article designed and configured to be worn adjacent auser's perineum, comprising a liquid permeable cover; a barrier layer;and an absorbent core intermediate the cover and the barrier layer;wherein the article has a total capacity of 1.2 grams or less, isprovided.

[0010] In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, afluid management article designed and configured to be worn adjacent auser's perineum, comprising a liquid permeable cover; a barrier layer;and an absorbent core intermediate the cover and the barrier layer; theabsorbent core comprising 0.7 grams or less of absorbent material, isprovided. Preferably, the absorbent material is substantially free ofhydrogel-forming polymers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is an end view of a fluid management article provided bythe present invention having a liquid permeable structure and a barrierlayer overlaying a garment-facing side of the structure.

[0012]FIG. 2 is an end view of the fluid management article of FIG. 1depicting an optional cover overlaying a body-facing side of thestructure.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a cutaway perspective view of a fluid management articleprovided by the present invention having a liquid permeable cover, abarrier layer, and an absorbent core intermediate the cover and barrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention relates to a fluid management articledesigned and configured to be worn adjacent a user's perineum, that isuseful for collecting and/or absorbing low volumes of bodily fluids.Referring to FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment, fluid management article10 consists essentially of an absorbent-free, liquid permeable structure20 having a first surface 21 to be worn facing the user's body and anopposing second surface 22 (garment-facing); and a barrier layer 30covering at least a portion of the second surface 22. The liquidpermeable structure 20 may exhibit the following, non-limitingconfigurations, a nonwoven web, a woven web, an apertured film, anapertured formed film, a substrate having flocked fibers thereon, alamination of multiple layers of films or fibrous webs and combinationsthereof, or the like. The absorbent-free, liquid permeable structure 20is capable of collecting fluid within existing interstitial spaces (orpores), such as for example between non-absorbent fibers or withinapertures/bosses. Any collected fluid will have a tendency to settleproximal the barrier layer 30, thereby minimizing fluid retentionproximal the body-facing surface 21.

[0015] A liquid permeable structure in the form of flocked fibers mayhave a liquid permeable or impermeable carrier, such as a nonwoven webor a polymeric film. The carrier may comprise hydrophilic fibers,hydrophobic fibers, or combinations thereof. Methods of flocking onto asubstrate are known in the art of fabric manufacture. See for example,U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,436,442 and 3,679,929. In addition, European Pat. App.No. 737,462 discloses an absorbent article having flocked fibers on itsexternal surface.

[0016] Examples of apertured films and apertured formed films useful asthe liquid permeable structure are disclosed in the following U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,710,186 and 4,342,314.

[0017] Nonwoven webs are preferred as the absorbent-free, liquidpermeable structure 20. Suitable fibers useful for making such nonwovenwebs include polyolefin and polyester fibers. A polypropylene nonwovenweb is particularly suitable for the liquid permeable structure 20,wherein the polypropylene fibers making up the web are preferably of atleast two different deniers, such as 3 and 5 denier fibers. The nonwovenwebs have a basis weight from about 20 to about 200 grams per squaremeter, preferably from about 30 to about 100 grams per square meter.

[0018] Raw materials, such as individual fibers, that are used in themanufacture of the liquid permeable structure 20, or alternatively thestructure's first and second surface 21 and 22 respectively, mayoptionally be treated with a surface active agent to render thestructure more hydrophilic or hydrophobic. To help draw any capturedfluid away from a user's body, that is from the first surface 21, thesecond surface 22 for example may be treated to render it morehydrophilic. In contrast, the second surface 22 may be treated withvarious fluid repellants to render it significantly hydrophobic to helpprevent any captured fluid from transferring to the user's undergarmentsor other unwanted surfaces.

[0019] The barrier layer 30 can be of any flexible material thatprevents and/or retards the through transfer of liquid but does notnecessarily prevent the passage of gases.

[0020] Commonly used materials are polyethylene or polypropylene films.The barrier layer may also be an extruded thermoplastic coating, that isdirectly extruded onto at least portions of the second surface 22, suchas disclosed in Sonoda, U.S. Pat. No. 5,089,075. Adhesive coatings, forpositioning article 10 in a user's undergarments, may also serve as thebarrier layer 30, as described in greater detail below.

[0021] Other materials that may be used as the barrier layer are madefrom those selected from films of polyesters, polyamides, ethylene vinylacetate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, cellophane,nitrocellulose and cellulose acetate. Co-extruded and laminatedcombinations of the foregoing, wherein such combinations are permittedby the chemical and physical properties of the film, may be used. Liquidimpermeable reticulated foams and repellent treated papers may also beused.

[0022] Barrier layers that block or retard liquid permeation, but permitgases to transpire, i.e., “breathable barriers”, may be used. Single ormultiple layers of microporous films, fabrics and combinations thereof,that provide a tortuous path, and/or whose surface characteristicsprovide a liquid repellent surface to the penetration of liquids may beused to provide such breathable barriers. A nonwoven web particularlyuseful as a breathable, barrier layer is a spunbond polypropylene web,providing a retarding effect, but not necessarily an absolute barrier,to liquid strikethrough.

[0023] Attachment means may occupy portions of the first surface 21and/or the outwardly disposed surface of the barrier layer 30.Body-adhesives, such as those disclosed in Sieverding, U.S. Pat. No.4,883,193, may be applied to the first surface 21 for attaching theliquid permeable structure 20 directly to a user's body. Alternatively,positioning adhesives, mechanical fasteners, or high coefficient offriction materials may be applied to the barrier layer 30 for releasablyadhering the liquid permeable structure 20 to a user's undergarments orhosiery. Alternatively, the barrier layer itself may be constructed froma high coefficient of friction material, such as natural or syntheticrubber, thereby eliminating the need for additional material to provideundergarment attachment. Useful mechanical fasteners and highcoefficient of friction materials are disclosed in the following U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,946,527; 5,058,247; 4,166,464; and 5,011,480.

[0024] Preferably, positioning adhesives are used to adhere the article10 to a user's undergarments. Positioning adhesives suitable for thearticles of the present invention are well known in the art, one knownclass being styrenic block copolymers. Techniques used for applying theadhesives to the article include, but are not limited to slot coating,spraying, knife coating, extrusion coating, and transfer coating. Theadhesives may also be foamed prior to application, such as by usingcommercially available equipment from the Nordson Corporation. Adhesivesmay be coated in continuous or in discrete patterns from emulsion orsolution directly onto the product substrate or onto a release substrateto be subsequently transferred onto the article.

[0025] Positioning adhesives may serve as a barrier or repellant toliquid permeation. Puletti et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,692,161, discloses ahot melt adhesive waste barrier. Embodiments of '161 include coatingportions, or all of a nonwoven web with pressure sensitive formulations,so as to form a barrier to replace conventionally employed impermeablefilms and separate attachment means.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, fluid management article 10 may optionallyemploy a liquid permeable cover 40, overlaying the first surface 21. Thecover 40 is preferably compliant, soft feeling, and non-irritating to auser's skin. The cover should further exhibit good strikethrough and areduced tendency to rewet, permitting bodily discharges to rapidlypenetrate it and flow toward subsequent underlying layers, while notallowing such discharges to flow back through the cover to the skin ofthe user.

[0027] A suitable cover 40 may be manufactured from a wide range ofmaterials including, but not limited to woven and nonwoven fabrics,apertured formed polymeric films, hydro-formed films, porous foams,reticulated foams, reticulated thermoplastic films, and thermoplasticscrims. In addition, the cover may be constructed from a combination ofone or more of the above materials, such as a composite layer ofnonwoven and apertured formed thermoplastic film. Apertured films arewell suited for the cover 40 because they are pervious to liquids and,if properly apertured (including tapering), have a reduced tendency toallow liquids to pass back through and rewet the user's skin. Usefulfilms are disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,929,135;4,324,426; 4,342,314; 4,463,045; and 5,006,394.

[0028] Particularly suitable covers 40 include 30 and 34 grams persquare meter versions of a thermobonded multidenier (3 and 5 denier)polypropylene nonwoven web, and 14 and 18 grams per square meterversions of a through-air nonwoven comprising polyethylene sheath andpolypropylene core bi-component fibers.

[0029] The liquid permeable cover 40 may employ body adhesives on itsoutwardly disposed surface for attaching the article 10 directly to auser's body. The article can be attached to pubic hair covered parts ofthe perineum, such as the mons pubis and the vulva. Alternatively, thearticle can be attached to relatively hairless parts, such as the innersurfaces of the labia majora, the labia minora, and the inward surfacesof the thighs and the cleft between the thighs and the perineum.Multiple areas of body attachment are also provided by the presentinvention.

[0030]FIGS. 1 and 2 and their corresponding description, illustratepreferred embodiments of a first approach to managing low volumes ofbodily fluids while maintaining user comfort, wherein the fluidmanagement article 10 contains zero absorbent material. The firstapproach or substantial equivalents thereto, provide a comfortimprovement over the existing art by minimizing the potential for fluidretention at or near the skin-contacting surface. Captured fluid willtend to permeate the interstitial spaces (pores) and settle distal theskin-contacting surface.

[0031] A second approach to managing low volumes of fluid, whilemaintaining user comfort, employs limited amounts of absorbent materialin a core layer, which is buffered from skin contact by a liquidpermeable cover. FIG. 3 depicts preferred embodiments relating to thesecond approach. Fluid management article 10 comprises a liquidpermeable cover 40, a barrier layer 30, and an absorbent core 50intermediate the cover and barrier. The liquid permeable cover 40 andthe barrier layer 30 are shown to extend beyond the absorbent core 50.The absorbent core may alternatively, be coterminous with the cover andbarrier. Preferably, the absorbent core 50 contains absorbent materialin an amount of 0.70 grams or less.

[0032] A representative, non-limiting list, of absorbent material usefulin the absorbent core 50 includes natural cellulosics, such as cottonand wood pulp; regenerated cellulosics, such as rayon and celluloseacetate; peat moss; hydrogel-forming polymers in the form of fibers orparticles, commonly referred to as “superabsorbents”; and the like. Oneof ordinary skill in the art would readily appreciate that a blend oftwo or more types of absorbent materials may be used to optimize theperformance of fluid management articles used in varying conditions. Theabsorbent material may be uniformly dispersed within the core 50, or mayalternatively be placed in discrete patterns, or in gradients. Forexample, in an effort to help reduce side leakage, absorbent materialmay be placed in high concentrations around peripheral portions of thecore.

[0033] The absorbent core 50 may have a blend of absorbent materials andthermoplastic fibers, for example to provide structural integrity to theformed structure or for heat sealability to additional layers, such as abarrier layer film. Useful thermoplastic fibers are polyolefins, such aspolypropylene and polyethylene fibers. The thermoplastic fibers may bebi-component or multi-component fibers having a first component having afirst melting temperature and two or more additional components havingdifferent melting temperatures to that of the first melting temperature.Bi-component fibers are typically configured sheath-core orside-by-side. Suitable bi-component fibers includepolyester/polyethylene and polypropylene/polyethylene

[0034] A Preferred absorbent core 50 comprises a composite of cellulosicfibers and thermoplastic binder fibers, having a basis weight in therange from about 50 to about 200 grams per square meter. When theabsorbent core 50 comprises hydrogel-forming polymers (superabsorbents)as the absorbent material, they will preferably be in quantitiessignificantly less than 0.70 grams, on the order of 0.3 grams or lesssuch that the article does not offer excess absorbent capacity.Absorbent capacities are discussed in more detail below.

[0035] Similar to the embodiments described in conjunction with FIGS. 1and 2, embodiments corresponding to FIG. 3 may contain attachments meanson the outwardly disposed surfaces of the barrier layer 30 and/or thecover 40.

[0036] The individual layers of the present invention may employ anyknown assembly techniques for adhering adjacent layers together. Arepresentative, non-limiting list of assembly techniques and materials,includes adhesives, heat seal, ultrasonic welding, solvent welding, andmechanical fastening. Preferably, construction adhesives are used tolaminate individual elements to one another. Suitable constructionadhesives are disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,526,577;5,149,741; and 5,057,571. The construction adhesives may be modified tobe absorbing by incorporating absorbing polymer into their formulations.

[0037] The fluid management articles of the present invention areintended to manage low volumes of fluid encountered both menstrually,and intermenstrually. Preferably, the various embodiments of the presentinvention have a total capacity of 1.2 grams or less, as determined bythe total capacity test defined in the test methods section.

[0038] In addition to fluid capacity, the articles of the presentinvention are designed to be extremely comfortable and non-obtrusive toa user. The collective design attributes are intended to provide dailyconfidence without compromise to lifestyle, including activity andclothing. Two variables, which may affect the before mentioned designcharacteristics, are article caliper and flexibility. Preferably thearticles have a caliper of 3.0 millimeters or less, more preferably 2.0millimeters or less, and most preferably 1.1 millimeters or less.Flexibility is measured by a flexural resistance test, described ingreat detail in the test methods section. Preferably, the articles havea flexural resistance of 120 grams or less.

[0039] The articles of the present invention are also useful fordelivering a multitude of additives. A representative, non-limiting listof potential additives includes medicaments, moisturizers, vitamins andminerals, spermicides, and odor controlling agents.

[0040] The articles may be of any shape suitable for placement against auser's perineum and the surrounding areas. Shapes include rectangular,oval, dogbone, peanut shape, and the like.

[0041] In addition to the elements specifically disclosed in the instantspecification, other performance enhancers known in the art may beemployed, such as lateral extensions for wrapping around a crotchportion of user's undergarments.

[0042] To help prevent fluid leakage from the peripheral portions of thearticles, the individual elements themselves, or the finished article,may employ embossments in the form of discrete densified areas orchannels.

[0043] The articles of the present invention may be individually wrappedin a flat, folded, or rolled configuration for easy portability. Theindividual wrappings may employ features that render the wrapper usefulas a disposal means for soiled articles.

[0044] The preparation and properties of fluid management articlesaccording to the present invention are further illustrated by thefollowing examples. The examples are given for the purposes ofillustration only and the invention is not limited thereto.

[0045] Example A: fluid management articles were constructed comprisinga 18 gsm nonwoven cover consisting of polypropylene/polyethylenebi-component fibers, a 65 gsm absorbent core consisting of airlaid pulpand an acrylic binder, and a 24.5 gsm polyethylene film barrier. FullerHL-1491XZP hot melt construction adhesive was used to adhere adjacentelements. Fuller 1417 positioning adhesive was placed onto thegarment-facing surface of the film barrier. The pulp was the onlyabsorbent material present in the articles, at a level of 0.40 grams.The articles had an average caliper of 0.96 millimeters, flexuralresistance of 34.23 grams, and total capacity of 1.34 grams.

[0046] Example B: fluid management articles may be prepared as follows.Provide a 34 gsm nonwoven web as a liquid permeable structure, whereinthe web comprises 3 and 5 denier polypropylene fibers. Provide a 0.8 milpolyethylene film as a barrier layer. Adhere the liquid permeablestructure to the barrier layer with a styrenic block copolymer adhesiveformulation. The article is void of any absorbent material.

[0047] Example C: fluid management articles may be prepared as follows.Provide a 34 gsm nonwoven web as a liquid permeable cover, wherein theweb comprises 3 and 5 denier polypropylene fibers. Provide a 0.8 milpolyethylene film as a barrier layer. Provide a 50 gsm nonwoven web as aliquid permeable structure, wherein the web comprises 12 denierpolyester fibers. Place the liquid permeable structure intermediate thecover and barrier and adhere the elements with a styrenic blockcopolymer adhesive formulation. The article is void of any absorbentmaterial.

[0048] Test Methods

[0049] The total capacity of a fluid management article is determined asfollows. Any individual wrapping materials and adhesive release paper isremoved from the article to be tested. The article is first weighed tothe nearest 0.1 gram. The article is then submerged in a container of 1%saline solution, such that the article is totally submerged and is notbent or otherwise twisted or folded. The article remains submerged for10 minutes. It is then removed from the saline and suspended for twominutes in a vertical position to allow the saline to drain out of thearticle. The article is then placed body-facing surface down onto anabsorbent blotter, such as Whatmann grade #1 filter paper available fromVWR Scientific of Bridgeport, N.J. A uniform 17.6 grams per squarecentimeter load is placed over the article to squeeze excess saline out.The absorbent blotter material is replaced every 30 seconds until theamount of saline transferred to the absorbent blotter is less than 0.5grams in a 30-second period. Next, the article is weighed to the nearest0.1 gram and the initial weight of the article is subtracted. Thedifference in grams is the total capacity of the article.

[0050] The flexural resistance of the article is measured by peakbending stiffness. Peak bending stiffness is determined by a test thatis modeled after the ASTM D 4032.82 CIRCULAR BEND PROCEDURE, theprocedure being considerably modified and performed as follows. TheCIRCULAR BEND PROCEDURE is a simultaneous multi-directional deformationof a material in which one outwardly disposed surface of the articlebecomes concave and the opposing surface becomes convex. The CIRCULARBEND PROCEDURE yields a force value related to flexural resistance,simultaneously averaging stiffness in all directions.

[0051] The apparatus required for measuring flexural resistance is amodified Circular Bend Stiffness Tester, having the following parts: Asmooth-polished steel plate platform that measures 102.0×102.0×6.35millimeters, having an 18.75 millimeter diameter orifice. The lap edgeof the orifice should be at a 45 degree angle to a depth of 4.75millimeters. A plunger having an overall length of 72.2 millimeters, adiameter of 6.25 millimeters, a ball nose having a radius of 2.97millimeters and a needle-point extending 0.88 millimeter therefromhaving a 0.33 millimeter base diameter and a point having a radius ofless than 0.5 millimeter. The plunger is mounted concentric with theorifice, having equal clearance on all sides. A force-measurement gaugeand more specifically an Instron inverted compression load cell. Theload cell has a load range of from about 0.0 to about 2,000.0 grams. Anactuator, and more specifically the Instron Model No. 1122 having aninverted compression load cell. The Instron instrument is made by theInstron Engineering Corporation, Canton, Mass.

[0052] Specimens are cut from the articles to be tested, measuring37.5×37.5 millimeters. The specimens should be cut inward from theperiphery in order to ensure that all of the elements of the article aremaintained within the specimens. Any individual wrapping and releasepaper is removed before testing. Any undergarment or body adhesiveshould be blocked, such as by applying powder to the adhesive, in aneffort to prevent the specimens from adhering to the platform, resultingin an artificially high test value. The plate is leveled and the plungerspeed is set at 50.0 centimeters per minute per full stroke length. Aspecimen is centered on the orifice below the plunger such that thebody-facing surface is facing the platform. The plunger is then actuatedand the maximum force reading to the nearest gram is recorded.Preferably, multiple specimens are cut from a single article andmeasured, with the average maximum force readings representing theflexural resistance of the article.

[0053] The caliper of the article is measured through the use of acomparator gauge, such as those available from the B.C. Ames, Company ofWaltham, Mass. The comparator gauge should have a 28.6 millimeters (1⅛in.) diameter comparator foot. The comparator gauge is zeroed. A 56.7grams (2 oz.) weight is placed on the spindle extending above thecomparator dial. The comparator foot is raised and the article, with anyindividual wrapping and release paper removed, is placed garment-facingsurface down on the base plate. The article is positioned on the baseplate so that when the foot is lowered it is in the center of thearticle. The foot is gently lowered onto the article. The articlecaliper is determined by reading the comparator dial after the footcomes into contact with the article and the output value is stable (ifusing digital model is used). The measurement is repeated at each of theends of the article along its longitudinal centerline. The average ofthe measurements is the caliper of the article.

[0054] The disclosures of all patents, as well as any correspondingpublished foreign patent applications, mentioned throughout this patentapplication are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[0055] The specification and embodiments above are presented to aid inthe complete and non-limiting understanding of the invention disclosedherein. Since many variations and embodiments of the invention can bemade without departing from its spirit and scope, the invention residesin the claims hereinafter appended.

What is claimed is:
 1. Fluid management article designed and configuredto be worn adjacent a user's perineum, comprising a liquid permeablecover; a barrier layer; and an absorbent core intermediate the cover andthe barrier layer; the article having a total capacity of 1.2 grams orless.
 2. The article of claim 1 having a total capacity of 1.0 grams orless.
 3. The article of claim 1 having a caliper of 3.0 millimeters orless.
 4. The article of claim 3 having a caliper of 1.1 millimeters orless.
 5. The article of claim 1 having a flexural resistance of 120grams or less.
 6. The article of claim 1 wherein the absorbent corecomprises 0.7 grams or less of absorbent material.
 7. The article ofclaim 6 which is substantially free of hydrogel-forming polymers.
 8. Thearticle of claim 6 wherein the absorbent material comprises cellulosic.9. The article of claim 8 wherein the cellulosic is wood pulp.
 10. Thearticle of claim 1 wherein the liquid permeable cover is a nonwoven webcomprising polyolefin fibers.
 11. The article of claim 10 wherein thepolyolefin fibers are polypropylene fibers of at least two differentdeniers.
 12. A fluid management article designed and configured to beworn adjacent a user's perineum, comprising an absorbent-free, liquidpermeable structure having a first surface and a second surface oppositethereof; and a barrier layer covering at least a portion of the secondsurface.
 13. The article of claim 12 having a total capacity of 1.2grams or less.
 14. The article of claim 12 further comprising a liquidpermeable cover overlaying the first surface.
 15. The article of claim12 having a caliper of 3.0 millimeters or less.
 16. The article of claim15 having a caliper of 1.1 millimeters or less.
 17. The article of claim12 wherein the liquid permeable structure is an apertured film.
 18. Thearticle of claim 17 wherein the apertured film is an apertured formedfilm
 19. The article of claim 18 wherein the apertures have taperedcapillaries.
 20. The article of claim 12 wherein the liquid permeablestructure is a nonwoven web.
 21. The article of claim 20 wherein thenonwoven web comprises polyester fibers.
 22. The article of claim 20wherein the nonwoven web comprises polyolefin fibers.
 23. The article ofclaim 12 wherein the first surface is hydrophobic and the second surfaceis hydrophilic.
 24. A fluid management article designed and configuredto be worn adjacent a user's perineum, comprising a liquid permeablecover; a barrier layer; and an absorbent core intermediate the cover andthe barrier; the absorbent core comprising 0.7 grams or less ofabsorbent material.
 25. The article of claim 24 comprising 0.3 grams orless of absorbent material.
 26. The article of claim 24 which issubstantially free of hydrogel-forming polymers.